The disclosure relates to a method for producing an optical element, for example an (optical) lens, for example a headlight lens, for example a vehicle headlight lens, from inorganic glass, wherein a blank of the inorganic glass is heated in a first heating step, for example in such a way that the blank is cooler on the inside than on its outer region, wherein, after heating, the blank is press-molded, for example on both sides, in a first pressing step between an upper mold and a lower mold to form an intermediate molded part, wherein the intermediate molded part is removed from the lower mold after the first pressing step, wherein a surface or the surface of the intermediate molded part formed by the lower mold and/or the surface of the intermediate molded part facing the lower mold is heated in a second heating step after the first pressing step, wherein the intermediate molded part is press-molded, for example on both sides, to the optical element or the (optical) lens, in a second pressing step after the second heating step, and wherein the optical element or the (optical) lens is cooled in a cooling path after the second pressing step.

An articulated lower mold arrangement for use with an upper mold includes a mold portion configured to bend a heated glass sheet. The mold portion has a first end, a sharp bend area proximate the first end for bending an end portion of the glass sheet, and a second end opposite the first end and spaced away from the sharp bend area. The arrangement may further include a first guide member connected to the mold portion at a first location proximate the first end, and a second guide member connected to the mold portion at a second location proximate the second end and spaced away from the sharp bend area. The mold portion and the guide members are cooperable to allow the first end of the mold portion to move from a lowered position to a raised position in order to move the end portion of the glass sheet upwardly.

An articulated lower mold arrangement for use with an upper mold includes a mold portion configured to bend a heated glass sheet. The mold portion has a first end, a sharp bend area proximate the first end for bending an end portion of the glass sheet, and a second end opposite the first end and spaced away from the sharp bend area. The arrangement may further include a first guide member connected to the mold portion at a first location proximate the first end, and a second guide member connected to the mold portion at a second location proximate the second end and spaced away from the sharp bend area. The mold portion and the guide members are cooperable to allow the first end of the mold portion to move from a lowered position to a raised position in order to move the end portion of the glass sheet upwardly.

A method of shaping glass sheets is provided. A first glass sheet is shaped after it has been deposited on a first bending tool at a first position and an edge portion of the first sheet contacted to move the first sheet to a second position relative to the first bending tool, and a second glass sheet is also shaped after it has been deposited on the first bending tool at a first position and an edge portion of the second sheet contacted to move the second sheet to a second position relative to the first bending tool. The second position of the first edge portion of the first sheet is different than the second position of the first edge portion of the second glass sheet relative to the first bending tool. The first and second glass sheets may be of different sizes, and may be laminated together after each is shaped.

A dropping nozzle includes: a flow passage part that includes a flow passage that molten glass passes through; and an opening part that includes an opening that communicates with the flow passage, the opening part dropping the molten glass as a glass drop, wherein the opening includes a plurality of inclined parts in which adjacent inner inclination angles are different from each other in a section parallel to a center axis of the flow passage part, and from among the plurality of inclined parts, a first inclined part that is closest to the flow passage part has an inner inclination angle that is smaller than an inner inclination angle of a second inclined part that is farthest from the flow passage part.

An apparatus for locating a preform on a mold includes a preform handling tool and a force sensor coupled to the preform handling tool such that the force sensor is capable of sensing forces applied to the preform during handling of the preform by the preform handling tool. The apparatus includes a control device that is arranged and operable to move the preform handling tool relative to the mold. A method of locating the preform on the mold includes picking up the preform using the preform handling tool and placing the preform in a vicinity of the mold. Positions on the mold are mapped with an edge of the preform with the aid of the force sensor. The preform is paced on the mold according to the mapped positions.

A product conveyance apparatus includes an actuator, a movement portion, a first position detection portion, a second position detection portion, and a controller. The controller performs a process of causing the actuator not holding a product to move to a predetermined position, detecting the position of the actuator and storing the position as a first position, a process of causing the actuator to move on a basis of a movement instruction value and hold the product, causing the actuator holding the product to move to the predetermined position, detecting the position of the product held by the actuator, and storing the position as a second position, and a process of correcting and updating the movement instruction value on a basis of difference between the first position and the second position.

A product conveyance apparatus includes an actuator, a movement portion, a first position detection portion, a second position detection portion, and a controller. The controller performs a process of causing the actuator not holding a product to move to a predetermined position, detecting the position of the actuator and storing the position as a first position, a process of causing the actuator to move on a basis of a movement instruction value and hold the product, causing the actuator holding the product to move to the predetermined position, detecting the position of the product held by the actuator, and storing the position as a second position, and a process of correcting and updating the movement instruction value on a basis of difference between the first position and the second position.

A cover window manufacturing apparatus includes a plurality of fixed plates, a plurality of moving plates, a plurality of molds and a driver. The plurality of fixed plates is layered and spaced apart at a distance from each other. The plurality of moving plates is layered, spaced apart at a distance from each other and respectively disposed under the plurality of fixed plates. A plurality of connection members integrally connects the plurality of moving plates with each other. The plurality of molds is respectively provided on the plurality of moving plates, and inner spaces for molding the cover window are respectively defined in the plurality of molds. The driver is coupled to one of the plurality of moving plates, and is configured to move the plurality of moving plates towards the plurality of fixed plates such that the plurality of molds are pressed to the plurality of fixed plates.

A glass lens blank for polishing in which a thickness of a defect-containing layer is suppressed to a minimum and thus it is possible to shorten the processing time required for grinding and polishing the glass lens blank for polishing after press-molding, a method of manufacturing the same, and a method of manufacturing an optical lens. A glass lens blank for polishing of which at least a main surface is a press-molding surface, wherein a defect-containing layer formed on the main surface has a thickness of 50 m or less.